House okays extension of fund availability in 2018 budget

The funds for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlay (CO) under the 2018 national budget may soon be used until Dec. 31, 2019.

This, after the House of Representatives approved on final reading House Joint Resolution No. 32, with a vote of 196 to 6, on Monday.

The measure needs to get the approval of both chambers of Congress before President Rodrigo Duterte could sign it.

The joint resolution cited the onslaught of several calamities which “destroyed vital infrastructures and affected the delivery of basic services to the affected communities” to justify the extension of the MOOE and CO funds.

If the resolution is not passed, the funds could not be used as they are only valid until Dec. 31, 2018, as mandated by the 2018 General Appropriations Act. /ee

READ: House seeks extension of availability of funds in 2018 budget